Wheel support for an exercise device

ABSTRACT

A wheel support for an exercise device includes at least one support plate attached to a base. The support plate has a through hole defined to securely mount a first bearing. The first bearing is adapted to hold a crank. A flywheel is rotatably mounted in the support plate. The positions of the first bearing and the flywheel on the support plate are set prior to assembly so that a jig is unnecessary to manufacture the wheel support for an exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a wheel support, and more particularly to a wheel support for an exercise device.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] With reference to FIG. 3, a conventional wheel support for an exercise device in accordance with the prior art comprises a base (30) and an inverted U-shaped frame (40) welded vertically on the base (30). A crank (32) is rotationally mounted through the frame (40), and two pedals (322) are respectively mounted on the opposite ends of the crank (32). A heavy flywheel (34) is driven by the crank (32) to cause the user to exercise.

[0005] The frame (40) includes a first rod (42) and a bearing (43) secured on the first rod (42) to hold the middle portion of the crank (32). The first rod (42) has two ends with one end welded to the base (30) such that the first rod (42) is vertical and perpendicular to the base (30). A second rod (44) has two ends with one end welded to the free end of the first rod (42) and the other having two separated support plates (46). Each support plate (46) has two ends, and one end of each support plate (46) is welded to opposite sides of the second rod (44). The other end of each support plate (46) is welded to the base (30). Each of the support plate (46) has a slot (462) defined to correspond to each other to allowing the flywheel (34) to be rotatably mounted on and between the two support plates (46). A drive sprocket wheel (324) is secured on the crank (32), and a driven sprocket wheel (342) is connected to the center of the flywheel (34). The driven sprocket wheel (342) aligns with the drive sprocket wheel (324) and is rotated by the drive sprocket wheel (324) with a chain (36) mounted around the driven sprocket wheel (342) and the drive sprocket wheel (324) so that the flywheel (34) is rotated when the user presses the pedals (322).

[0006] However, the frame (40) includes the first rod (42), the bearing (43), the second rod (44) and the two support plates (46). All the elements of the frame (40) need to be welded one after one so that a welding jig is necessary to prevent the elements from warping or distorting because welding always causes stress at the joints. Furthermore, the distance between the crank (32) and the flywheel (34) is not uniform so that the maker must modify the length of the chain (36) to match the distance between the crank (32) and the flywheel (34). It takes a lot of time, and the cost is very high.

[0007] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional wheel support for an exercise device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved wheel support for an exercise device. The wheel support includes at least one support plate attached to a base. The support plate has a through hole defined to securely receive a first bearing. The first bearing is adapted to mount a crank. A flywheel is pivotally mounted in the support plate. The positions of the first bearing and the flywheel on the support plate are determined prior to the assembly so that a jig is unnecessary to manufacture the wheel support in accordance with the present invention for an exercise device.

[0009] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheel support in accordance with the present invention for an exercise device;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the wheel support in accordance with the present invention for an exercise device; and

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a conventional wheel support for an exercise device in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] With reference to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a wheel support for an exercise device in accordance with the present invention comprises a base (30) and two support plates (10) vertically secured on two opposite sides of the base (30). The two support plates (10) are parallel to each other. Each of the support plates (10) has a through hole (100) defined to correspond to each other, and a first bearing (12) is securely received in the two through holes (100) in the two support plate (10). Each of the support plates (10) has a slot (14) defined in the front edge of the support plate (10) and extending toward the through hole (100) to allow a flywheel (34) to be mounted between the two support plates (10). The flywheel (34) includes an axle (341) centrally extending through and secured in the flywheel (34). The axle (341) is mounted in the slot (14) and has two opposite ends respectively extending through the two support plates (10). A driven sprocket wheel (342) is secured on one end of the axle (341), and the axle (341) is hold in place on the support plate (10) by means of nuts, for example. A crank (32) has a middle portion securely received in the first bearing (12). A drive sprocket wheel (324) is mounted around and secured on the crank (32). The drive sprocket wheel (324) is aligned with the driven sprocket wheel (342) and drives the driven sprocket wheel (342) by a chain (36).

[0014] The wheel support for an exercise device in accordance with the present invention is manufactured using two parallel support plates (10) attached to the base (30) by welding, for example. The through hole (100) and the slot (14) are defined in the support plate (10) by a press so that the distance between the first bearing (12) mounted in the through hole (100) in the support plate (10) and the flywheel (34) is fixed. Therefore the jig is unnecessary and the rate of manufacturing is raised.

[0015] With reference to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the wheel support uses only one support plate (10) attached to the base (30). The first bearing (12) and a second bearing (16) are mounted in the support plate (10) a specific distance apart so that the structure of the wheel support is simplified.

[0016] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wheel support for an exercise device, the wheel support comprising: a support plate adapted to be vertically secured on the exercise device for supporting the wheel, and having a first bearing and a second bearing respectively mounted in the support plate.
 2. A wheel support for an exercise device comprising: two support plates each having a through hole defined to correspond to each other to receive a first bearing, and a slot defined toward the through hole for receiving therethrough an axle of a wheel. 